ND production unexpectedly tops 1 million barrels per day again

North Dakota’s oil production for February made an unexpected upswing to 1.03 million barrels per day (bpd), thanks to good weather and higher oil prices.

“I don’t think anyone expected production to go up 53,000 barrels a day,” said Lynn Helms, director of the state’s Division of Mineral Resources while delivering his monthly report. “That was really anticipated much later this year.”

However, Helms said that while he expects production to remain steady during March, he anticipates it falling back to around 950,000 bpd the next two months. The annual spring thaw in April and early May means load restrictions on roads will limit trucking and oilfield activity, he said.